Program Description

ACEF Youth Coalition aims to empower and mobilize high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in schools in Calhoun County through college readiness initiatives. Youth are given the opportunity to develop leadership skills, practice effective problem-solving, and learn civic responsibility. The Coalition promotes college readiness through college tours, providing resources about admissions, access, and financial aid, and assistance with ACT, ASVAB, and other entrance and workforce exams. Established in 2010, the ACEF Youth Coalition serves at least thirty students annually.

Program Objectives

1. Broaden students' awareness about academic readiness and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.

2. Develop students’ leadership skills through participation in service-learning and civic engagement activities.

3. Enhance academic achievement and college readiness of underserved students at the participating schools.

4. Promote college readiness through college tours, providing resources about admissions, access, and financial aid, and assistance with ACT, ASVAB, and other entrance and workforce exams.

College and Workforce Resources

• College Navigator - https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator

• Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

• U.S. College Affordability and Transparency Center - https://collegecost.ed.gov

• Alabama Commission on Higher Education - https://ache.edu

• Alabama Community College System - https://www.accs.edu 

• Four-Year Institutions in Alabama - https://ache.edu/ACHE_Reports/Misc/Address_4Yr.pdf 

• Two-Year Institutions in Alabama - https://ache.edu/ACHE_Reports/Misc/Address_2Yr.pdf

• Other Institutions in Alabama - https://ache.edu/ACHE_Reports/Misc/Address_Private.pdf

• Academic Program Search - https://ache.edu/ACHE_ProgInv.aspx

• U.S. Workforce Development Information - https://www.careeronestop.org 

• Alabama Workforce Development Information - https://alabamaworks.com/resources